UMass hockey could salvage season with late success against Maine like three years ago

In 2006-07, the University of Massachusetts hockey team was fading like it is now. The Minutemen won only one game, and had one tie in a critical five-game stretch. They lost one-goal games to Boston University and Lowell, and tied Providence - all at home - before a split at Vermont. They then won two against Northeastern before stunning Maine in a two-game sweep at the Mullins Center. UMass hosted the best-of-3 playoff quarterfinal series at the Mulins Center, downing Maine again 3-2, and 5-2. Despite an overtime loss to New Hampshire in overtime in the semifinals, UMass was awared an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament and defeated Clarkson in the first round before bowing to Maine in the second.

Now this year, the regular season ends with two games with Maine, but they are at Orono. If the Minutemen could sweep Merrimack this weekend, it could set up another chance to use Maine for a post-season boost. They play at Boston College in between.

UMass senior defenseman Justin Braun was on that NCAA squad as a freshman, but said Friday that he isn't bothering using that run as motivation for the younger players. "This is a different team," said Braun, who doesn't think they could relate.